N01201:179
An appeal to the learned. Being a vindication of the right of visible saints…
An appeal to the learned. Being a vindication of the right of visible saints to the Lords Supper, though they be destitute of a saving work of God's spirit on their hearts: against the exceptions of Mr. Increase Mather. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; [Two lines from Daniel]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1709
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Book 3: The Third BOOK. Arguments to prove that Sanctifying Grace is not necessary, in order to…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Some that are Unsanctified ought to offer themselves to communion in the Lords Supper, and that on a double account; 1st. Because they are in covenant with God, and therefore being neither ignorant nor of bad conversation, the Seal of the covenant doth belong to them. Many of them were born in covenant and have actually renewed the covenant, and therefore ought to tender themselves to communion, they ought to receive Gods confirmation of his covenant, and to use ⟨p. 73⟩the means to stir them up to keep covenant. 2ly. Because it is a scandal if they do not, and the Church may call them to an account for their neglect. It is a visible contempt cast upon the Ordinance, it is a denial of the Gospel, and a refusal to show forth the death of Christ.
2. Some that are Unsanctifyed ought to offer themselves to communion in the Lords Supper, and that on a double account; 1st. Because they are in covenant with God, and therefore being neither ignorant nor of bad conversation, the Seal of the covenant doth belong to them. Many of them were born in covenant and have actually renewed the covenant, and therefore ought to tender themselves to communion, they ought to receive Gods confirmation of his covenant, and to use ⟨p. 73⟩the means to stir them up to keep covenant. 2ly. Because it is a scandal if they do not, and the Church may call them to an account for their neglect. It is a visible contempt cast upon the Ordinance, it is a denyal of the Gospel, and a refusal to shew forth the death of Christ.
3. The Church by the Ordinance of God is bound to admit many Unconverted persons to the Lords-Supper, they are Ecclesiastically qualified having knowledge and a good conversation; they are Saints to a judgment of Charity, walking orderly; and therefore the Church is to accept them into their communion; the Church is to act upon what is visible, so that according to the Ordinance of God they are to be received to communion.